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Hi, I have a Sony Vaio VGN-NS10L laptop, and i haven't a clue what has happened to it. It was running windows 7 upgrade, originally on Vista. Have owned it for just over 18mnths, no problems, and just under a year on windows 7. It is very very empty in terms of content, it is a spare, just running MSN, Skype, office 2007, no music or movies etc.

In the week before it died, 3 times it froze after using for around 2 hrs and made a very loud scratchy, screaming noise (sorry, only way i can describe it) and i had to shut down by holding the power button. but it would restart fine.

Now, i try to switch it on, the green power led comes on, but no fan or other noise, the screen stays black. Have tried using the ac adapter and on battery, but no difference.

What have i done wrong? is it fixable?

Hope someone can help.
Thanks

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Dani AI

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A concise expert note tied to 's follow-up: a laptop that seems "dead" at power-on but then boots after a hardware reseat is a common, fixable situation. Intermittent freezes followed by a loud mechanical noise are red flags worth checking even after the machine starts again.

Why this happens: poor contact between a DRAM module and its slot (oxidation, thermal cycling, or a retention clip not fully seated) can prevent POST and leave the screen dark while the power LED glows. The earlier loud, scratchy noise before a freeze is more often a failing hard drive or a sticking fan bearing — either can cause the OS to hang and produce grinding or scraping sounds. Treat both symptoms as potential hardware faults rather than purely software glitches.

Practical next steps that preserve data and reduce repeat failures:

  • Back up important files immediately once the system is running.
  • Power down, remove AC and battery, discharge residual power (hold power 10–15s) before opening. Ground wrist or touch metal to avoid static. Reseat each memory module: release the clips, remove, inspect contacts, clean gently if needed, then press back until clips snap. Test one module at a time and in both slots to isolate a faulty stick or slot.
  • Run an extended memory test (memtest86+) and a SMART disk check (CrystalDiskInfo or the drive maker's utility). If SMART shows bad sectors or the noise recurs, clone the drive and replace it promptly.
  • Clean vents and the CPU fan; replace a noisy fan. Update BIOS only if a specific update addresses stability, and follow the vendor procedure exactly.

Persistent or recurrent problems (repeated POST failures, memtest errors, or SMART warnings) point to failing RAM, a damaged slot, or an intermittent power/board fault and warrant component replacement or professional service.

Member Avatar for blink83

Hi, think i have got somewhere. have read previous posts about vaios having ram problems. So i opened mine up, removed and reinserted the ram, and voila, it booted.
Thanks to you guys for the info.

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